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==Hardware== The original edition of the console, the FZ-1, was referred to in full as the ''3DO REAL Interactive Multiplayer''. The console had advanced hardware features at the time: an [[ARM architecture family|ARM60]] [[32-bit computing|32-bit]] [[Reduced instruction set computing|RISC]] [[Central processing unit|CPU]], a custom graphics processor with a math co-processor, and a custom 16-bit DSP with a 20-bit [[Arithmetic logic unit|ALU]]. It also featured 2 [[megabyte]]s (MB) of [[Dynamic random-access memory|DRAM]], 1 MB of [[VRAM]], and a double speed [[CD-ROM]] drive for main [[CD+G]]s or [[Photo CD]]s (and [[Video CD]]s with an add-on [[Moving Picture Experts Group|MPEG]] video module).<ref name=gamespy/> The 3DO included the first [[music visualization|light synthesizer]] in a game console, converting CD music to a mesmerizing color pattern. The [[optical disc]] format for 3DO software uses a proprietary [[file system]] named Opera.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 10, 1999 |title=FAQ - 3DO Interactive Multiplayer Frequently Asked Questions List v5.3 |url=https://www.pugo.org/collection/faq/11 |website=3DO Today}}</ref> The 3DO is one of few CD-based units that feature neither [[regional lockout]] nor [[copy protection]], making it easy to use [[copyright infringement|illegal copies]] or [[homebrew (video games)|homebrew]] software.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.3dotoday.com/|title=3DO Today|publisher=3DO Today|access-date=2012-07-31|archive-date=June 25, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625045810/http://www.3dotoday.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> Although there is no regional lockout for 3DO systems, a few Japanese games cannot be played on non-Japanese 3DO consoles due to a special [[kanji]] font which was not present in the English language console firmware. Games that have compatibility issues include ''Sword and Sorcery'' (which was released in English under the title ''[[Lucienne's Quest]]''), ''[[Twinkle Knights]]'' and a demo version of ''[[Alone in the Dark (1992 video game)|Alone in the Dark]]''. ===Technical specifications=== {{Multiple image|caption_align=center|header_align=center|direction=horizontal|perrow = 3 | align = right | total_width = 580 | footer = '''Left to right''': The 3DO's RISC CPU, the Panasonic FZ-1 "Clio" DSP and "Madam" graphics accelerator | footer_align = center | image1 = VY86C06020FC-2 02.jpg | image2 = 3DO Clio Graphics Accelerator.jpg | image3 = 3DO Madam Graphics Accelerator.jpg }} ;Processor * 32-bit RISC CPU @ 12.5 MHz ([[List of ARM processors|ARM60]]){{snd}} using VY86C060-20FC / VY86C06020FC-2 (native stock speed of 20FC chips is @ 20 MHz.) ;Display * Resolution 640Γ480 (interpolated), 320Γ240 (actual) 60 Hz for NTSC version, and 768Γ576 (interpolated), 384Γ288 (actual) 50 Hz for PAL version with either 16-bit palettized color (from 24-bit) or 24-bit [[24-bit color|truecolor]]. * Dual pixel engine (CEL engine) capable of producing 9β16 million [[pixel]]s per second (36β64 megapix/s interpolated), distorted, scaled, rotated and texture mapped. * Custom [[Coprocessor|math co-processor]] (physically located inside MADAM) ;System board * 200 MByte/s (50 million words a second) Bus clocked at 50 MHz * 36 [[Direct memory access|DMA]] channels * 2 MB of main RAM<ref name="NGen12"/> * 1 MB of [[VRAM]]<ref name="NGen12"/> * 2 expansion ports * 32 KB [[Static random-access memory|SRAM]] <ref name="NGen123">{{cite journal |date=December 1995 |title=Which Game System is the Best!? |url=https://archive.org/details/nextgen-issue-012/page/n37/mode/2up |journal=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |issue=12 |pages=36β85}}</ref> ;Sound <ref>{{cite web |title=Audio Hardware |url=http://altmer.arts-union.ru/3DO/docs/DevDocs/ppgfldr/mgsfldr/mpgfldr/02mpg002.html |website=Arts Union |access-date=11 August 2018 |archive-date=August 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811165127/http://altmer.arts-union.ru/3DO/docs/DevDocs/ppgfldr/mgsfldr/mpgfldr/02mpg002.html |url-status=live }}</ref> * 16-bit stereo sound<ref name="NGen12"/> * Stereo [[Compact Disc Digital Audio|CDDA]] playback. * 44.1 kHz sound sampling rate<ref name="NGen12"/> * Supports 4-Channel [[Dolby Pro Logic|Dolby Surround sound]] * Custom 16-bit [[digital signal processor]] (DSP) with 16-bit I/O and registers but a 20-bit ALU and accumulator, embedded in the CLIO chip. * 13 DMA channels of digital input, to be sampled, and distorted by the DSP. ;Media * Double-speed 300 [[kilobyte|kB]]/s data transfer CD-ROM drive with 32 KB RAM buffer * [[Computer multitasking|Multitasking]] 32-bit [[operating system]] ===Connectivity=== ====Audio and video==== * '''RF switch''' An [[RF connector]] can be used with older TVs that lack direct video inputs. The 3DO output is compatible with most existing console RF switches, including those made for the NES, Super NES, Master System, Genesis, and TurboGrafx-16. This provides a relatively low quality but universally compatible video signal. * ''' Composite RCA''' The 3DO features standard [[composite video]] and audio ports (yellow/red/white [[RCA connector]]s) that are compatible with off-the-shelf cables also used on VHS players and certain other video devices and games consoles, as well as older computer video monitors. * '''S-Video''' The 3DO also offers an [[S-Video]] connector for enhanced picture quality on more advanced televisions. ====Power==== All 3DO consoles have integrated power supplies. Some models (Panasonic 3DO FZ-1, Sanyo TRY 3DO, and Goldstar 3DO) have hardwired power cords, others (Panasonic 3DO FZ-10) use an [[IEC 60320#C7/C8 coupler|IEC 60320 C7]] "figure 8" power cord. All North American model specifications are AC 120 V 60 Hz 30 W. ===Basic accessories=== [[File:3DO-101M-Controller.jpg|thumb|Goldstar 3DO controller]] Most 3DO systems shipped with a standard controller, as well as A/V and power cables. The 3DO controllers were unusual in that the system base unit contained only one controller port and the controllers could be physically [[Daisy chain (electrical engineering)|daisy chained]] together via a port on the top of each controller. Up to eight controllers could be linked together in this fashion. All controllers for each 3DO console are compatible with one another. In addition, standard 3DO controllers released with the Panasonic FZ-1 also contained a headphone jack and volume control for silent play. The GoldStar (LG) model also included a controller with this feature. Third party controllers were produced by a number of companies including [[Logitech]]. World International Trading Corporation also released an adapter that allows [[Super NES]] controllers to be used with the 3DO.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_65/page/n79/mode/2up|title=New Adapter Allows Any Super NES Controller to Be Used on 3DO|date=December 1994|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|publisher=Sendai Publishing|issue=65|page=68}}</ref> ===Light gun=== The only light gun released for the 3DO was the [[Gamegun]], a product of third-party developer [[American Laser Games]]. Despite this, no fewer than 10 games with light gun support were produced for the system. Most of these were arcade ports from American Laser Games (including ''[[Mad Dog McCree]]''), but [[Virgin Interactive]] and [[Digital Pictures]] also released 3DO light gun games. The 3DO Gamegun uses the same design as the Gamegun released for the [[Sega CD]]: an orange "[[American frontier|Old West]]" [[revolver]]. Select Gameguns house a controller port so that another Gamegun may be daisy-chained for two-player gameplay, which is supported in most of American Laser Games's 3DO titles. Though no light gun was released for the 3DO in Japan, the Japanese localizations of ''[[Demolition Man (video game)|Demolition Man]]'' and ''[[Corpse Killer]]'' retain light gun support, and could be played by Japanese gamers using imported Gameguns. ===Mouse=== Panasonic and Logitech both released the 3DO mouse. The Panasonic FZ-JM1 and Logitech 3DO mouse are identical aside from their markings. Fewer than 20 games supported its use, some of which were optimized for the standard controller or light gun rather than the mouse. Of the 3DO games which were optimized for use with the mouse, the best known are ''[[Myst]]'' and ''[[Lemmings (video game)|Lemmings]]''. The Panasonic mouse was also bundled with Konami's ''[[Policenauts]]'' Limited Edition in Japan which came with a Policenauts mouse pad.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://akiba-games.com/3do-policenauts-limited-mouse-box-pilot-disk.html |title=[3DO] Policenauts Limited Mouse Box & Pilot Disk |website=Akiba-Games |access-date=2013-11-18 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130719183958/http://akiba-games.com/3do-policenauts-limited-mouse-box-pilot-disk.html |archive-date=July 19, 2013 }}</ref> ===Other=== Home Arcade Systems released a steering wheel for the 3DO which is supported by several racing titles, including ''[[The Need for Speed]]''. The Panasonic FZ-EM256 is a 256 KB Expandable Memory Unit that plugs into the 3DO expansion port on the back of the console. It was released in 1994 and sold in Japan only.<ref name="Retro122" /> The Panasonic 3DO Karaoke Mixer allows 3DO owners to play a standard music CD, turn the vocals down, plug in one or two microphones and sing over the music. This unit was released in limited markets.<ref name="videogameconsolelibrary.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.videogameconsolelibrary.com/pg90-3do.htm#page=pics|title=Panasonic 3DO|publisher=Video Game Console Library|access-date=2013-11-18|archive-date=August 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807010231/http://www.videogameconsolelibrary.com/pg90-3do.htm#page=pics|url-status=live}}</ref>
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